Well, it certainly seemed that way because it really had been so long ago since the last time I set foot in this restaurant…
It must be at least 50-60 years old and was one of the very few and the most famous, most popular restaurants in town back in my growing-up years.
While others have closed down and one that is definitely not as old has moved elsewhere, this one has stayed put at the exact same location right in the centre of town, opposite what used to be the Lido Cinema that had been burnt down and is now an inn…
…along the very narrow and congested Blacksmith Road…
…where parking can be such a pain and the fact that the pasar malam (night market) has been relocated to the area behind this row of shops sure does not help to make things any better.
A friend posted a comment on Facebook that she was told that the restaurant had changed owner and was not so authentic anymore. I asked and was told that when the old owner had passed away, his son did not have any interest in the business (Word has it that he has migrated and is presently living overseas.) and the old man’s partner, Ah Teck, took over the restaurant. As far as the food goes, it is more or less the same and as nice as before though I do know also that one of the chefs left and opened his own restaurant across river. I hear that he cooks more or less the same stuff as what he used to dish out here but that restaurant is way out of town, so far away…and our roads here, especially those out-of-town ones, are not so vehicle-friendly, not quite the kind of drive for old folks like me…and even more so at night.
Anyway, like before, the restaurant is still on the 1st floor and I was delighted seeing the fact that they have maintained the place really well…
…with a string of awards…
…to show…
…and an A certificate for cleanliness from our local municipal council.
I was there that night with my friend/ex-classmate, Michael, for dinner before he left town to go back to Australia and we had this sweet and sour fish…
– I think they called it Fook Kui Yu or something like that…and it was very nicely done indeed.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think hock chiew means Foochow and lau is short for chiew lau or a venue where they will hold (wedding and other) banquets (ciak chiew) so the name actually means Foochow restaurant and needless to say, this is THE place where one would be able to get old-school authentic Foochow delights such as their celebrated sio bee (meat dumplings)…
[CORRECTION: My sincere apologies to one and all. Based the comments received, in the Chinese name of the restaurant, the first two characters, which taken together sound like the Chinese reference to Foochows, actually do not make a reference to that. “Hock” means luck or good fortune and ‘Chu’ means gather so literally it means “good fortune to all who gather at this place”. Thanks to all concerned for the explanations.]
…and their Foochow-style fried noodles…
When I was small, whenever my mum was busy with something or did not have time to go to the market, my dad would bring the tiffin carrier and buy food home and the thing was that he would buy from this same restaurant and the same few dishes every time so much so that eventually, I got so tired of eating those same things and the mere sight of them would put me off. One of those would be their ang sio pek/pao chai…
– stewed/braised Chinese cabbage/wombok. I don’t think it was because I had not eaten it for a long long time but they certainly do it much better now and I really enjoyed it very much. I would surely order it without any second thought should I drop by this restaurant again.
Other than that, we also ordered their fried midin (wild fern)…
…as Michael would not be able to enjoy that once he had gone back…and it is something one would not be able to get outside of the state of Sarawak, not even in the peninsula.
I shared these photos on Facebook and somebody commented that he was not too happy with the people at this restaurant and I quote, “Food may be still good but every time (I mean every time since 4 years ago) we received very rude and sour face treatment even tho we have ordered similar old cuisine…” Unquote. On the contrary, I thought the ladies were very friendly and chatty and the service was excellent! Of course, they were not the sweet and gentle young ladies one might be used to in the new Chinese restaurants elsewhere (especially) as they did come across rather coarse or rough which may be quite typical of small town people and those of our local dialect – it’s just their usual way of talking, that’s all.
If it’s rude as in really rude or ill-mannered, I can pinpoint a few at some places in town but no, I did not think the ones here were thus inclined. I did get a little put off though by how they would scoff on and on about the fried sio bee that I had bought from the pasar malam at the back and brought them along with us – we had gone very early in order that we would be able to find a parking space and in the meantime, we went to browse around the night market but it started pouring heavily so we had to cut short our stroll. They insisted that their fried meatballs…
…were way superior and kept putting down the ones I had in my plastic bag. I asked Melissa for her opinion and she said that both were nice. She thought they were two different things that did not taste quite the same and she liked them both.
Well, there was one left and everyone was too full to eat it so I put it in the plastic bag together with the ones deemed inferior and took it home. The next morning, I cut it and stuffed the slices in the croissant that Melissa had bought for me from a bakery near our house, along with some lettuce and mayo to make a croissant sandwich…
…and yes, it was very nice. I must say that I enjoyed it a lot, eaten this way. Hehehehehehe!!!!!
Michael insisted on picking up the tab that night and of course, it would seem so cheap to him, less than AUD$50 for the six of us. I am pretty sure you can’t go out for a dinner for two for that kind of money in Ozzieland. Thank you so much, Michael – I always feel it is so very nice to meet and get together with friends…
*You can tell from the shape & size which the true blue Sibu locals are… LOL!!!*
…and I certainly look forward to more of the same the next time you come home…
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Yeah, I can see the food looks great an the place was very pleasant too. Seems like all is not lost for the next generation. They still run the business well it seems. Nice gathering there!
Yes, sure was nice to be able to eat there. So nostalgic! Next month, some friends are coming over from Trengganu. Will take them to Kanowit, hope to eat at that old restaurant there where I had my daily meals catered 30-40 years ago. Another walk down memory lane.
Oh banyak smart huh, the meatball looks better with croissant haha
It’s all about creativity and presentation. Hehehehehehe!!!!!
All the handsome guys…
All over 60, except one. Can guess which one? 😉
The one in orange?
Orange and red – same shape and size. Hehehehehe!!!!
First 3 dishes – my favorite! Sweet sour fish (with lots gravy), meat dumplings and noodles (with lots gravy too).. I can finish all those meat dumplings I tell you.. I dont like veggies but I think that ‘wong ah pak’ cabbage in starchy gravy, I’ll like..
Did I see you cooking something like that before?
Err, I think no. I only fry fish, then drizzle some soy sauce on them.. Meat dumplings? Nah, never done that, but I know Mel did.. Cabbage in starchy gravy? Nope.. I usually stir-fry cabbage with garlic & dried shrimps..
Yup, I’m talking about the long Chinese white cabbage dish. Actually, just boil/blanch, sprinkle fried garlic with a bit of the oil and pour oyster sauce and serve – nice already.
The fish is beautiful. Yums! Croissant looks good with meatballs 🙂
Of course, all my own work. Hehehehehehe!!!! Yup, the fish was very good too. We all enjoyed that.
I am hungry..
Go eat.
ooo, A for hygiene … that’s a vote of confidence! 😀
The municipal council here checks on the eateries in the town regularly, and every year they would award certificates. A = good, keep it up. B = not quite satisfactory, do something about it. C = close temporarily to make the shop nicer and more presentable (eg, have tiled floors, have nice new toilets). I guess D is you’ll have to close down, something along these lines.
Traffic can be such a pain sometimes! I love the red tablecloths and green chairs, so beautiful and colourful, and the food looks very good!
Yes. I would prefer to go elsewhere, less congested and easy to find a parking space.
Always thought ‘Hock’ stands for good fortune. So many shops in Sibu starts with ‘Hock.’
Ahhhhhh yess!!! If it is Hock (good fortune) and Chiew Lau (restaurant), then the name will take on a whole new meaning. 😛
By the Chinese name, the ‘Chiu’ mean gather. Literally it means all the good fortune gathered ath this place.
Ahhhhh!!!! Thank you. Now I have the complete translation…I think. Will add a footnote on it on the post then. Thanks again.
It was that old and yet it looks new. Really well maintained!
That croissant is delicious!
So was the food at this restaurant. Been there before? Go, give it a try – authentic Foochow delights! Make sure you go before you move back to Kuching.
The croissant’s from Bread Sense. Not bad, better than many but I still prefer Giant’s.
Heard the croissant from Bread Sense but bern there few times, they dont bake croissant every day. So havent try it out.
Alright. I will tell my hubby about this restaurant, but hard to find parking there. That why we seldom go to town area for food.
I was lucky. Managed to find one. Was thinking of parking at the exhibition centre, the 1Malaysia shop and walking all the way. Not very far, Sibu so small.
We don’t mind a short walk. Kids enjoy it. I also bored of going to the same restaurant. Haha. Wanna try something different.
I would say it is nicer than the one we went to with the group from Kuching in the Dewan Suarah area but that one’s cheaper, I guess and parking is easy.
All the dishes looks so so awesome. In love with the fish & midin. Been in existence for 50-60 years yet cleanliness still maintained, plus point for them. From the picture, it doesn’t look so spacious.
It’s just the top floor of one of the old shophouses. Long ago, for big banquets – they would use the Foochow Association some 100-200 metres away…and they would put the dishes on a big wooden tray and carry them over.
I like the last dish, not just the inside ingredients, but the outside bread, hehe!!
My masterpiece – got money, cannot buy. Hehehehehehe!!!!!
The place looks authentic..and the food looks great too!! Yes, don’t waste good food.. anything not finished, can tar pau back and make a good meal the next day!
Yes, indeed. We do that all the time…whoever is keen on tapao-ing back. As the say, it’s a sin to waste.
food memang cheap over there la . Yummy midin.
Note to KH : Muhahahaha…….notty STP
Cheap kah? Ok lah…but nice, yes! Ummm…why notty? *blinking innocently* 😀
oh, I love the fish, it looks so delicious in the photo.. probably can wallop two bowls of rice just with that, of course that gravy that seems to be so appetizing.. 🙂
All was nice…and very authentic too, real old school. Sure enjoyed everything and wouldn’t mind going again.
The place has that very typical old school Chinese restaurant look that may come across as gaudy for today’s taste. But I don’t mind as it is the food that matters. All the dishes look really good especially the sweet and sour fish. I note that some ethnic groups speak loudly and in a gruff way which may come across as rude to those who are not used to it. I used to think that they were fighting or quarrelling but in actual fact they were just having a normal conversation.
Yes, exactly what my coursemates told me when I went for in-service training in the 80’s. They said they knew some people from Sibu when in uni but they would stick together most if not all of the time. I asked if they seemed like they were quarrelling among themselves and they said yes. 😀
I think if they were to renovate the place, make it look real modern – the soul would be gone. I am very glad they have maintained it the way it was…except for the green plastic chairs. Just like how they restored some of those old colonial buildings – instead of maintaining the old look, they did this and that to them and spoiled everything – not original, not authentic…not the same. Might as well pull it down and build one of those cold soul-less modern structures.
sweet fish, wouldn’t mind some myself. Janice loves to order fish dishes at every chinese restaurant we go to, but she prefers the steamed ones, as they’re supposedly ‘more fresh’.. lol
That is very true…but of course, it is up to one’s preference. I know in those set 8-course dinners, without anyone requesting, if the fish is served fried with sweet and sour sauce, that means the fish is not all that fresh, not so nice for steaming.
LOL I am more interested with the enhanced croissant that you made 😀 ! Haih again the same problem, running an old school restaurant is too difficult for the newer generation, most will just convert the business to a franchise if the business is successful enough, or give it all up if the business is small. Better to sit in the office with a tie than toiling in the kitchen and mingling with vulgar mouthed uncles and aunties…
I suppose so but I do know of a few here who are putting aside their university degrees to go into the food business like the ones here and here, for instance…and the guy behind the first ever instant kampua enterprise is an overseas graduate actually.
It seems like Chinese restaurants have similar set-up. The signage outside of the shop is almost similar with the ones here in Manila.
All from the same roots…with some variations and differences perhaps, depending on dialect and locality.
For me, the sweet and sour fish is the best! And quite a huge fish, too.
You’re so resourceful to use the meatball in the croissant 🙂
Nice change and sure beats eating it as it was…just like that without anything else.
Oh I do like the look of those little dumplings.
Almost double the size compared to most of the rest and almost double the price too. Worth it though, very nice.
The fried noodle definitely tastes amazing just by the mere sight of it…
Yes. Many all over the town but somehow, many just cannot get it or do not have it. This is the real thing!
Not often do I see anyone writing about food better done now than before, testament of you being truly fair and not looking via the nostalgic lens 😀
Have to tell the truth but of course, all opinions are my own – I may say it is not nice but others may think otherwise. Like I see many eating at places that I do not think are all that great. However, I think my taste in food is pretty reliable just that different people may have different taste or some people are probably just not bothered as long as they have something to eat…as usually they are edible, can’t say they are so nice that I would be rushing back for more.
I want to say again, love the 1st picture, very nice.
I cannot remember when was my last step foot in this restaurant, maybe when i am still very young! I cannot remember the food, but i remember they serve very good “or nee” – Yam cake? I really love that a lot.
To my understanding, Hock is what Philip said , fortune, Chu is gather in mandarin. It is not hock chew – foochow. hahhaha :P:P
Ok. So many Chinese characters in the sign – I wonder what the complete meaning is. If it is Hock (luck) + chiew lau (venue for banquets) + restaurant – the last two would mean the same, no?
Ok, will ask if they have or nee the next time I drop by there. I love that very much. You can give it a try the next time you come back – nicer than Siong Loke Yong, your favourite in the Dewan Suarah area, and different from New Capital – New Capital not really old school anymore, many new dishes.
i like the food… i dun like the chair… next time bring me good chair when we go there ok…
Haiyar!!!! Didn’t think of it at the time. Actually, when we went to Kanowit that day, Philip wanted to collect his custom-made made-to-order wooden stools made of BELIAN. I should have tumpang-ed, placed an order for one just for you and you can take it wherever you go to sit on it instead of all those plastic chairs. The ones here aren’t very new though…so I could sit on them, not like the current ones in the coffee shops.
I hate going to areas where parking is a pain! I rather give up and go somewhere else, no matter how good the food is (Unless someone is willing to drive me la xD)
You’re like me.
Hmm…the meaning is incorrect?
I always thought the same as you too – the literal translation, “hock chiew lau” = Old Favorite Place (for Foochows). I think on some level a lot of people take it to mean that way coz we’re not the only ones, I’ve heard friends and cousins describe it to me that way.
No, it seems but never mind, as long as the food is as good as before. That’s what matters most.
Hi,
The old owner/partner of Ah Teck I believe was called Wong Kwong Dieng, isn’t it? If so, I’m his grandson. I’m also the son of the father (you wrote of) who moved to NZ and lived overseas for many, many years ago.
I went back to Sibu late last year of 2022 for the first time in almost a decade, to pay a homage visit to this ‘iconic’ restaurant. It’s so refreshing that they have retained all the same interiors as well as the dining tables and chairs all those years ag0 since my grandfather retired.
It’s brought me back great memories of how my gong gong used to treat me having dinners in this restaurant growing up as a child with his other family and friends. Though the taste has changed since my gong gong, Ah Teck and others have left and/or gone. But I’m grateful they still keep this restaurant alive for the next generation to enjoy the piece of great food-making history here.
Thank you so much for writing this article about my gong gong’s restaurant. I’m very delighted to hear this place has brought you plenty of great nostalgia just as much as I did.
Yes, the new/present owners did not renovate the place after they took over. I have not been there for so long now, not since Ah Teck gave up the place. I don’t know the names of the original owners – my grandfather’s friends – all his banquets were held here and when the place was not big enough, they would have the dishes delivered to the Foochow Association in the next street.
I ‘ve grown up enjoying all the food there – that is why right now I am asking around as to whether the food is still the same or not and whether it is worth going there to dine (despite the parking problem). They told me to go to the place across river opened by one of the former chefs. I’ve never been there though – so far!
By the way, thanks for commenting! Great to know that there are people reading and some do appreciate my effort in keeping this blog alive.
No worries. You’re most welcome. Any time.
Glad I found your blog through a random google search to see if anyone in Sibu still remembers fondly of this place via online forums. It’s good to know it’s got an online presence and it’s most up-to-date.
Cheers.
Glad you dropped by. My guess is your parents were once working for the Chartered Bank – they moved to New Zealand after they retired. By that time, Ah Teck had taken over, no one around the continue the business. There was a very fat guy – we called him Ah Pui – he did the serving in the early days. We were very familiar with him.